It is really up to you to decide. It looks good without the edging and it would look good with it. You have to weigh the pros and cons.
The pro's--little weeding and no edging
the cons--the cost of the edging

Hi,

As already noted, the cost of the edging -- and the time to install -- are a down-side to edging the bed. The plus side? If you're already not looking forward to spade edging it, you won't be staring at that job anymore.

I'm for edging, personally. It will take time, but I think you'll be happy with it. Break it out into several weekends and it won't seem like such a big job.

Good luck! (Your lawn looks great!)

Heidi

I may be confused, but are you contemplating maintaining 105' of edging on both sides of the bed--"his" and yours? That is a chore.

You might also consider a living egde, such as an edging plant, but I don't know what works in your zone. For example, in my zone one might use a clumping liriope all along the edge and then let the grass be kind of stopped by it--works with a lot of lawns but not as well with the evil Bermuda.

It also depends on what look you are going for and if what you like is the look you've got now of a straight line of mulch and grass interface. Your current "edging" does not look sustainable--it looks just like a newly created bed and does not appear to have what I think of as a trench edge or way to demarcate grass from the bed over time.

I would go for the edging! But make sure you put a grass barrier between the grass and the edging material so the grass doesn't grow through. I used the Curv-Rite stuff. Even with the barrier you have to keep an eye on it to make sure nothing tries to go over it or seed into the bed. But putting the edging in place made a HUGE reduction in the maintenance chores in the garden! It was a bit of work to install the edging; the largest part of the cost for me was actually the edging material, which is expensive here. But it was worth it for the reduction in on-going maintenace effort. The biggest drawback is it makes subsequent changes to the shape or size of the bed more difficult so if you have any thoughts about enlarging or changing the shape of the bed, do it now.... :-)

Wow.. kinda like night and day in lawn maintenance practices, but different strokes for different folks! The meadow look is very attractive too.

If it's facing his property, then why not just use something simple like a composite edging or even the cheaper black plastic edging?

He's not "going" for the meadow look :-) That's lack of maintenance and his admitted "giving up".

I don't mind having to pull weeds here and there, I actually already have to when I put the edging in. He has a ton of goose grass and it's already making its way into the bed.

I may just go with the brick edging all around. it will be easier to install from my side. Just move the mulch, plunk it down, and tamp it a bit. His grass may grow over the brick a little bit, but about 98% of it won't spread into the bed, and what does I'll yank. I've accepted pulling weeds here and there (like maybe a dozen once a month or so) as part of maintenance, I just want something to keep that straight line and help give some mulch/yard separation. I have some paver bricks, "faneuil hall" waiting for me that I'll probably pick up Saturday. It will do the job without being as noticeable as a lighter colored or taller edging.

I must live in a weedier environment, as my mulched areas sprout a fair amout of weeds. Most are not hard to pull, but I do fight the vicious bindweed and the stubborn violet.

Saying that in light of doing other things that you can such as making the edge not too much work, 'cause there will always be some work involved in keeping a large area looking neat and tidy. As the shrubs grow and shade out some of the mulch, that can help keep weed growth down, too.

You know that you will maintain your edge. I'd be more concerned about the back edge. I would suggest steel edging as it is effective and nearly invisible. It also does not have the shrink swell of plastic that makes it a nightmare. It is easier to intall as it covers long lengths, sometimes as much as 20'per section. You barely see it and your neighbor side will be straight and clean without any effort from him.